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After a devastating earthquake killed 186 and injured nearly 12,000 people in the Sichuan province of China on Saturday morning, Apple took a stand on the home page of its Chinese website offering a message of condolence and a promise to donate 50 million yuan (about $8 million) and devices and the services of its employees to those in need.
Coming only weeks after Apple CEO Tim Cook apologized for his company’s treatment of Chinese consumers, will this most recent gesture of good will help smooth over Apple’s bumpy relationship with the Chinese? While apologies and front-and-center acknowledgment of philanthropy were rare in the Jobs era, could these acts show that Cook is steering Apple in a kinder and gentler direction?
Tech in Asia translates the statement as follows:
At this difficult time, our hearts are with the victims of the Sichuan earthquake. Aside from the cash donation to help the affected people to tide over their difficulties, we are committed to providing new Apple devices to schools in the disaster area, and Apple employees in the locality are on stand-by at any time to help.
According to CNET, other tech firms including Samsung, Foxconn, Asus, Dell China, and Microsoft China have also donated to earthquake relief efforts.
Do overt acts of philanthropy change the way you view a large corporation? Let us know in the comments.
[via Ars Technica]
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